Opening device for a door element of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening device (10) for a door element (1) of a motor vehicle (2), comprising an electrically operable door lock (9), an electrical drive unit (11) and an adjuster (12, 15, 24, 29), wherein the door element (1) can be moved at least from one closed position to an open position by means of the drive unit (11) and the adjuster (12, 15, 24, 29), wherein the adjuster (12, 15, 24, 29), when the drive unit (11) is in an unenergised state, can be removed manually from an area of engagement with the door element (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Installation device for a door element of a motor vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a positioning device for a door element of a motor vehicle, in particular a side door, comprising an electrically actuated door element lock, an electric drive unit and an actuating means, wherein the actuating means can be transferred by means of the drive unit at least from a closed position into an open position.

[0004] Today's motor vehicles are increasingly being equipped with convenience features. In order to make getting into a vehicle easier and / or to influence the aesthetic and aerodynamic design of the vehicle, the vehicles are designed without an external door handle. This requires that the vehicles are equipped with electrically unlockable locking systems. This means that the operator of the vehicle can then electrically unlock the door lock using a radio remote control, for example, so that contact-free opening of the door element is possible. It is also conceivable, however, that an external door handle is provided, but this simply transmits a switching signal to the electrically operated vehicle door lock to open it. In order to present the door to the operator once it has been unlocked, so-called stand-up devices orDoor stays are used, some of which are also referred to as door stays. These types of stays allow the door element to be moved from a closed position to an open position.

[0005] DE 10 2017 129 527 A1 discloses a method and a device for detecting a user action on a door of a motor vehicle. An actuator for maintaining the door is assigned to the door. The method for detecting the user interaction comprises at least the steps of stopping the door relative to the motor vehicle in a holding position by the actuator, checking whether a change in the position of the door per predefined time unit greater than or equal to a predefined threshold has occurred as a user interaction, and if so, releasing the door by the actuator.

[0006] DE 10 2015 003 918 A1 discloses a system integrated into a motor vehicle for raising a door element. The motor vehicle lock has a raising device, whereby a vehicle part accommodating the motor vehicle lock can be moved from a closed position to an open position by means of the raising device. The document is characterized in that the raising device holds the motor vehicle part in its open position, thus preventing the motor vehicle part from opening independently beyond the open position. The raising device can thus assume the function of holding the door element in addition to the raising function.

[0007] In each of the positioning devices or methods known from the prior art, the door element is moved into an open position by means of an actuating means. Depending on the design of the actuating means, the door element can also be held in place. These positioning devices and methods have generally proven themselves, but reach their limits when the electrical power supply is interrupted or no longer available. In order to enable the actuating means to be moved even in the event of insufficient or no power supply to the positioning devices, it has become known from the unpublished DE 10 2020 123 596.8 to supply the positioning device with emergency power. The positioning device for a side door has an electrically operated door lock, an electric drive unit, an actuating means, and a control unit.Using the control unit, an operating mode can be selected in which the installation device is coupled to an emergency power supply.

[0008] This technology has also proven itself in principle, but requires additional control and means for an emergency power supply in order to return the actuating means, for example, to the closed position in the event of a power failure. This is where the invention comes in. Starting from the known prior art, the object is to provide an improved actuating device. In particular, the object is to provide an actuating device for a door element of a motor vehicle which makes it possible to close the door element even when the motor vehicle is without power. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to create a structurally simple and cost-effective option for moving the actuating means out of the range of movement of the door element in vehicles without power.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. However, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any desired variations of the features described in the description and the subclaims, as well as the figures, are possible.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved in that a setting device for a door element of a motor vehicle, in particular a side door, is provided, comprising an electrically actuated door lock, an electric drive unit and an actuating means, wherein the actuating means can be transferred at least from a closed position to an open position by means of the drive unit and wherein the actuating means can be manually removed from an engagement region with the door element when the drive device is de-energized. The design of the setting device according to the invention now creates the possibility of removing an actuating element located in an extended position from the engagement region with the door element. As a result, the door element can be completely closed again even when the motor vehicle is de-energized.Particularly in the case where the adjusting means is fully extended, i.e. the door element is in the open position, the range of movement for the door element can be released again by manually intervening on the adjusting means. The setting device preferably relates to a side door of a motor vehicle, which can be moved from a closed position to an open position by means of the setting device. However, it is also conceivable for the motor vehicle door element to be a rear door, a flap, a cover or hood of a motor vehicle. The setting device can therefore be used wherever a door or flap element is arranged movably on the motor vehicle and is secured by means of an electric door lock. By means of the setting device, a door element can be set up slightly so that the operator can grasp the door element and open it completely. Setting movements of approx.100 mm, preferably 60 mm, and more preferably 45 mm.

[0011] The positioning device has an electrically operated door lock or interacts with an electrically operated door lock. Different embodiments of the positioning device are conceivable according to the invention. On the one hand, the positioning device or positioning device - both terms are used as synonyms as already described in the introduction - can be integrated into the electrically operated door lock; on the other hand, the positioning device can also be simply connected to the door lock or arranged separately from the door lock in the vehicle lock. However, it is also conceivable for the door lock and the positioning device to be arranged as separate components at different positions in the vehicle. An electrically operated door lock is characterized in that the door lock has a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, which can be locked in one or two detent positions.The pawl can hold the rotary latch in the locked position, and an electric drive, preferably a DC motor, can directly or indirectly move the pawl out of engagement with the rotary latch. The electrically operated door lock is essential because the operator only needs to give a command or signal to activate the opening device. If the operator gives a signal, for example via a touch sensor on the vehicle or a radio remote control, the electrically operated door lock is unlocked first, releasing the door element. Immediately afterwards, or in parallel, the opening device receives a signal to operate the actuating device, so that the door element released by the door lock can be pivoted, adjusted, or opened.

[0012] The positioning device further comprises an electric drive unit and an actuating means. The electric drive unit is designed to actuate the actuating means. The actuating means is preferably moved out of an opening in a vehicle body by means of the electric drive unit, so that the actuating means is capable of initiating an actuating movement into the door element. Both linear and rotary movements of the actuating means are conceivable.

[0013] If, according to the invention, a closed position and an open position are referred to, these terms can be used for both the door element and the actuating means. The actuating means is preferably arranged in the motor vehicle body or the door element in such a way that, in the unactuated state, i.e. the initial position, the actuating means is flush or almost flush with the body or the door element. From this initial position or the closed position of the door element, the actuating means can be moved out, displaced or guided in order to transfer the door element released by the motor vehicle lock into the open position. In this open position, the actuating element is in an extended position, with the actuating means moving the door element into the open position. The open position of the door element thus corresponds to the end position of the actuating means in the open position of the door element.If, in this end position of the actuator, no power is available for the drive unit, the door element cannot return to the closed position, and the door element cannot be held in the correct position and secured by the door lock. In the worst case, for example, a side door remains open and the vehicle cannot be secured as a whole, because, for example, a central locking system is engaged, but the door element cannot be locked.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the drive unit comprises an electric motor and a gear mechanism connected downstream of the electric motor. The gear mechanism has a low degree of self-locking, allowing the actuating means to be moved manually. By designing the drive unit with a gear mechanism with a low degree of self-locking, it is possible for the extended actuating means of the positioning device to be pushed back manually, i.e., by hand force. In this case, sufficient actuating force must be provided to position the door element, and at the same time, the gear mechanism must be designed such that the operator can return the actuating means to its original position.A low level of self-locking is therefore tied to the design of the gear unit downstream of the drive motor, since on the one hand the door element must be able to be raised even under extreme situations, such as on a slope or under snow load, and on the other hand the operator must be able to move the actuating device back to its starting position.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment of the invention results when a coupling element is provided on the setting device, wherein manual actuation of the actuating means can be prevented when the clutch is engaged. The setting device has a drive unit as the mechanical drive means, which consists of an electric motor and at least one downstream gear stage. By means of the drive unit and / or any additional mechanisms that act on the actuating means, the actuating means can be adjusted from its initial position to the extended end position. If a coupling element is provided which can be inserted and removed mechanically, i.e. manually, the drive chain can be prevented and the actuating means can be manually returned to its initial position. In the simplest case, the coupling element can be a connecting pin with which, for example, a two-piece actuating means can be separated.The drive chain for opening the door element can thus be interrupted and the actuating device can be manually removed from the door element's range of motion. The coupling element can therefore be designed as a locking or coupling pin, which, in the case of a single-part or multi-part design of the actuating device, enables the actuating device and / or the drive unit to be uncoupled. It is also conceivable that the flow of power within the drive train can be interrupted, for example by means of the coupling element. For example, it is conceivable that a gear part is slidably mounted and that the gear part can be released from the actuating chain using, for example, a handle and a pulling element, so that any existing self-locking of the drive chain can be canceled and the actuating device can be manually pushed back.

[0016] Alternative embodiments of the coupling element can be arranged in the actuating means and / or in the drive unit. By means of the coupling element, the flow of power to the actuating means and also within the actuating means can be interrupted. This makes it possible to uncouple, i.e. interrupt, the drive chain or the flow of power within the drive chain, starting from the rotor to the actuating means and to the door element itself. By uncoupling, the flow of power is interrupted in such a way that the extended actuating means can be manually transferred to the starting position. It is also conceivable for the coupling element itself to be integrated into the actuating means and / or the drive unit. The coupling element can be detachably integrated into the drive chain or it can interrupt the drive chain, i.e. the flow of power.The use of an externally activated clutch, which prevents the actuating device from being driven back when engaged and allows it to be driven back when deactivated, offers the advantage of a structurally advantageous solution for manually moving the actuating device. It is also conceivable, for example, for the clutch to be designed as a lock, for example in the form of a locking connection, with the locking connection being releasable from engagement, i.e., decoupled. The clutch can be engaged and disengaged, or activated or deactivated, using a cable and / or a lever, to name just a few examples of manual clutch deactivation.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, an advantage arises when the adjusting means is constructed in two parts, preferably in multiple parts. "Multiple parts" here means that the adjusting means is constructed from two, three, four, or more individual parts. The components can be nested, i.e., inserted into one another or interlocked, for example, by means of bayonet-type closures. It is also conceivable for the parts of the adjusting means to be connected by means of a pin, cotter pin, or mandrel. In any case, when using a multi-part adjusting means, the adjusting means is manually releasably connected. In other words, at least part of the adjusting means is releasably attached to the adjusting means.

[0018] Advantageously, it is also conceivable according to the invention for at least one part of the adjusting means to be insertable into another part of the adjusting means. For this purpose, for example, the other part can be rotated and thus inserted into a first part of the adjusting means. The parts of the adjusting means can thus be inserted into one another, freeing the adjustment path for closing the door element. Insertion can also be achieved by removing, i.e., detaching, a part of the adjusting means and then inserting it into the adjusting means.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the engagement region is detachably attached to the door element, wherein the engagement region is preferably designed as a cover cap. The actuating means moves out from the body or vehicle door and, in interaction with the electrically actuated vehicle lock, thus enables the door element to be raised. In order to raise the door element, the actuating means must interact with an engagement region on the body or door element so that an actuating force for moving the door element can be realized. The actuating means engages the engagement region. If the engagement region is now detachably attached to the door element or the body, an opening into which the actuating means can be inserted can be exposed by removing the engagement region.In the event of a power failure, the extended actuator can thus be inserted into the opening in the extended position, allowing the door element to be closed again even after the actuator has been moved. In this case, the extended actuator extends into the opening when the door element is closed. The door element can therefore be closed even if the actuator is extended and de-energized.

[0020] If an opening in the door element can be closed by means of the cover cap, this results in a variant of the invention. The cover cap can, for example, be arranged on the body or the door element by means of a screw connection. However, the cover cap can also be fastened by means of a snap-in connection, a bayonet-like snap-in, a press fit, etc. When attaching the cover cap, it is therefore not the fastening means that is important, but rather that the cover cap is detachably connected to the door element or the body. The cover cap must be connected to the body or the door element so firmly that it is possible to support the adjusting means for setting up the door element. The cover cap is preferably made of plastic and can have a recess into which a tool, for example a set of keys or a screwdriver, can be inserted.If the cover cap is attached to the body, for example, by means of a twist lock, preferably a bayonet lock, the cover cap can be easily removed from the body using the recess and a tool. The cover cap can also be labeled and / or marked, allowing the operator to intuitively remove the cover cap.

[0021] Alternatively, it is possible to insert a predetermined breaking point into the adjusting means. Destroying the adjusting means can also offer a possibility of closing the door element after a power failure. The adjusting means is preferably made of a metallic material and can, for example, have a damping means at an outer end. Depending on the length of the damping means, simply detaching the damping means from the metallic base body can enable the door element to be closed in the event of a power failure. Thus, a damping means that is detachably connected to the metallic material by means of a predetermined breaking point can enable the door element to be closed. However, it is also conceivable for the adjusting means to be made of plastic, at least in part, and for a predetermined breaking point, for example in the form of a perforation, to be introduced into the plastic.In the event of a power failure, the operator is then able to release part of the adjusting means via the predetermined breaking point and enable the door element to be closed. The adjusting means can also be released from the setting device using, for example, a tool, preferably a screwdriver, in combination with the predetermined breaking point. It is also conceivable for the adjusting means itself to be detachable from the setting device using a tool. In this case, for example, the adjusting means itself can be connected to the setting device by means of a bayonet-type connecting piece. It is understood that a combination of the aforementioned options for releasing and / or removing the adjusting means from the setting area of ​​the door element is also possible according to the invention.

[0022] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiments do not limit the invention, but merely represent advantageous embodiments. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0023] It shows:

[0024] Figure 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle with a door element in a closed position,

[0025] Figure 2 shows a basic representation of the installation device as a block diagram,

[0026] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an adjusting means according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of an adjusting means, and

[0028] Figure 5 shows a further alternative embodiment of an adjusting means of a setting device.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a side view of a door element 1 of a motor vehicle 2. The door element 1 is arranged in the body 5 of the motor vehicle 2 so as to be pivotable about the hinges 3, 4. A lock holder 7, against which the door element 1 abuts, is fastened to the body 5, in particular to the B-pillar 6 of the body 5 of the motor vehicle 2. In this embodiment, the door element 1 has an outside door handle 8, a door lock 9, and a positioning device 10. The door lock 9 acts on the lock holder 7 with a locking mechanism, so that the door element 1 can be securely held in the body 5 of the motor vehicle 2 by means of a locked locking mechanism in interaction with the lock holder. The door lock 9 is an electric door lock 9, wherein the door lock 9 can be activated by means of a radio remote control and / or the door handle 8, so that a rotary latch of the locking mechanism can be released electrically from the lock holder 7.By means of the positioning device 10, the door element 1 can be moved from a closed position shown in Figure 1 into an open position.

[0030] Figure 2 shows the positioning device 10 as a block diagram in a schematic representation. The positioning device 10 is formed from a drive unit 11 and an actuating means 12. The drive unit has an electric motor 13 and a gear 14 connected downstream of the electric motor 13. The gear can be constructed with one, two, or more stages and is capable of moving the actuating means 12. For this purpose, the actuating means 12 can itself form at least part of the gear 14. In any case, the actuating means 12 can be moved by means of the drive unit 11 such that a door element 1 can be transferred from a closed position to an open position.

[0031] The following Figures 3 to 5 show different embodiments of adjusting means 12, all of which can be separated from the drive unit 11 by manual intervention. All of the adjusting means shown can be moved out of and back into the door element 1 by means of the drive unit 11 in the direction of arrow P. Preferably, the adjusting means 12 shown are linearly adjustable.

[0032] Figure 3 shows an adjusting means 15, wherein the adjusting means 15 is designed in two parts in this embodiment. A part 16 of the adjusting means 15 is detachably fastened to the adjusting means 15. For this purpose, a part 16, which in this embodiment forms a front part 16 of the adjusting means 15, is connected by means of a coupling element 17. The coupling element 17 is designed in this embodiment as a pin connection, wherein a cylindrical extension 18, for example, projects into the part 16 of the adjusting means 15. The coupling element 17 is movable against the force of a spring 19, such that the cylindrical extension 18 can be moved out of the engagement area with the adjusting means part 16. For this purpose, the adjusting means part 16 has a recess 20 into which the extension 18 projects. The movement of the coupling element 17 takes place via a lever 21 pivotally mounted in the installation device.For this purpose, the lever 21 is mounted in a stationary manner but can pivot about an axis 22. If the lever 21 is pivoted in the direction of arrow P1 by means of a force F, the coupling element 17 is moved out of engagement with the actuating means part 16 by the electric motor, so that the actuating means part 16 can be manually released from the actuating means 15. In the event of a power failure, the operator is thus able to operate the lever 21 manually, which can be done via a cable pull, for example, in order to then release the actuating means part 16 from the actuating means 15. The movement of the coupling element 17 can be achieved, for example, by dampening the covering means 23. If the lever 21 is pulled by means of the force F, the coupling element 17 moves out of the actuating means 15 and the recess 20 in the direction of arrow P2.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of an adjusting means 24. The adjusting means 24 can again be moved in and out of the drive unit 11 in the direction of arrow P. In this embodiment, an adjusting means part 25 is connected to the adjusting means 24 via a positive connection 26. For this purpose, a recess 27 is arranged in the adjusting means 24, into which a raised portion 28 engages. The special feature of the raised portion 28 is that the raised portion 28 is designed as a predetermined breaking point in the adjusting means part 25. The operator is thus able to break the positive connection 26 and detach the adjusting means part 25 from the adjusting means 24 by manually intervening in the adjusting means part 25.

[0034] Figure 5 again shows a basic representation of a setting device 10. By means of the drive unit 11, the adjusting means 29 can be moved in the direction of the arrow P. The adjusting means part 30, which is detachably connected to the adjusting means 29, is held on the adjusting means 29 in this embodiment by the force of a spring 31. A bolt 32 fastened to the adjusting means 29 is held in a guide groove 33 and thus secures the adjusting means part 30 in the arrangement relative to the adjusting means 29. To release the adjusting means part 30, the adjusting means part 30 must be manually turned and moved against the force of the spring 31 over the guide contour 33 in order to release the adjusting means part 30 from the adjusting means 29.

[0035] It is understood that only exemplary embodiments of the invention are reproduced here, which do not limit the invention, but merely show examples that are encompassed by the patent claims and can be implemented. The actuating means 12, 15, 24, 29 acts against the B-pillar 6 of the motor vehicle 2 and presses the door element 1 from the closed position shown in Figure 1 into an open position. For this purpose, an elastic damping means 34, for example, can be arranged on the actuating means 12, 15, 24, 29, as shown by way of example in Figure 5. In any case, an actuating means part 16, 25, 30 can be manually released from the actuating means 12, 15, 24, 29, so that in the event of a power failure, the door element 1 can be returned to the closed position.

[0036] List of reference symbols

[0037] 1 door element

[0038] 2 motor vehicles

[0039] 3, 4 hinge

[0040] 5 Body

[0041] 6 B-pillar

[0042] 7 lock holders

[0043] 8 Door handle

[0044] 9 Door lock

[0045] 10 Installation device

[0046] 11 Drive unit

[0047] 12, 15, 24, 29 setting agents

[0048] 13 Electric motor

[0049] 14 gearboxes

[0050] 16, 25, 30 Part of the setting agent

[0051] 17 Coupling element

[0052] 18 Extension

[0053] 19, 31 spring

[0054] 20, 27 Deepening

[0055] 21 levers

[0056] 22 Axis

[0057] 23 Covering agents

[0058] 26 Form closure

[0059] 28 Extension

[0060] 32 bolts

[0061] 33 Guide contour

[0062] 34 Damping agents

[0063] P, P1 , P2 arrow

[0064] F Force

Claims

Patent claims 1. Mounting device (10) for a door element (1 ) of a motor vehicle (2), in particular a side door (1 ), comprising an electrically operated door lock (9), an electric drive unit (11 ) and an actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29), wherein the door element (1 ) can be moved by means of the drive unit (11 ) and the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) at least from a closed position to an open position, or from an initial position to an end position, characterized in that the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) can be manually removed from an engagement area with the door element (1) in a de-energized state of the drive unit (11).

2. Installation device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the drive unit (11 ) has an electric motor (13) and a gearbox (14) downstream of the electric motor (13) and that the gearbox (14) has a low self-locking effect, so that the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) can be moved manually.

3. Mounting device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a coupling element (17) is provided on the mounting device (10), wherein manual actuation of the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) can be prevented when a coupling (17) is engaged.

4. Installation device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the coupling element (17) is arranged in the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) and / or in the drive unit (11).

5. Installation device (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the coupling element (17) is integrated into the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) and / or the drive unit (11).

6. Mounting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positioning means (12, 15, 24, 29) is constructed in two parts, preferably in multiple parts.

7. Mounting device according to claim 6, characterized in that at least a part (16, 25, 30) of the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) can be detachably attached to the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29).

8. Mounting device (10) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that at least one part (16, 25, 30) of the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) is pivotably attached to a further part of the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29).

9. Mounting device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that at least one part (16, 25, 30) of the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29) can be inserted into a further part of the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29).

10. Mounting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the engagement area, in particular the B-pillar (6), can be detachably attached to the door element (1 ) or the B-pillar (6), wherein the engagement area is preferably designed as a cover cap.

11. Mounting device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that an opening in the door element (1 ) or the body (5) can be closed by means of the cover cap.

12. Installation device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that a predetermined breaking point is provided on the actuating means (12, 15, 24, 29).

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